Dispensing and lighting device



Dec. 29, 1931. F, C, COPELAND 1,838,363 DISPENSING AND LIGHTING DEVICE v Filed 'MarCh 9.. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet .1

A TTORNEYS.

De. 29, .1931.' F. Q CQPELAND 1,838,363

DIsPENsING AND LIGHTING DEVICE Filed March 9. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet -2 Figi 7.

A TTORNEYS.

50 ings, in which l Paten@ Dec. 29, 1931 UNITEDI -s'rA TES PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS (AGOPLAND, OF SAN FRANCISCO,4

msrmrsme Nn LIGHTING DEVICE Animation nica :meh s, 19a-1. seria; No. 173,933.

b thereof;

. device of this general character, wherein, e y a singlemovement of a slngle lever, acigarette can be deliveredfrom a holder and brought into contact with an electric resistance element, and lighted. e

The object of the p -esent invention is to simplify and improve the construction and operation of a device of this character.

Among the more important improvements of the present invention isfthe delivery of the cigarette in inclined position to the electric resistance element.` This vinsures that the cigarette, through the action of gravity, will force itself-against the electric element wlt-h suicient pressureto bring about lighting thereof without applyingV mechanical pressure' to the opposite end. Moreover, in this inclined position ,the cigarette lights more readily than if it be held in horizontal position. Thus I am enabledfto eliminate mechanical suction or draft means.

A further improvement resides in the dis.- p enslng mechanism.4 In said prior applica- A tlon used a rotating cylinder for dispensing the clgarette, and this was liable to jam and also to tear the cigarette. In the present dev1ce I use a slidable dispensing element, movableinto dispensing-,position by a thrust on thepart of the operator; and this dispensing element is so arranged that when `in dispensing position it forms a ground contact with the electric circuit," and thus causes the Aelectric resistance element to be ignited.. f e Provision is made to prevent jamming o the dispenser ,or tearing of the cigarettes. have also provided novel means to lock the 'a dispensing element yagainst movement, so as to prevent theft of the contents of the holder.

One form whichmyznvention may assume is exemplified vin the following' description and- -illustrated in the accompanying draw- -filed by me Novem- .Fig. -1 shows a front elevation of the de- V106; Fig. 2 shows -an end elevation of the same; Fig. 3 shows a front view of the hinged door separated from the rest of the holder;

- Fig. 4 shows a vertical sectional view ofl A said door, Ataken through the glass 'panel Fig. 5 shows a planv section of the same;

tiona view ofthe device;

Fig. 7 shows a vertical cross-section of the same;

Fig..8 shows a perspective view of the dispensing element; A w Fig. 9 shows-a erspective view of the electricresistance e ement; Fig. 10 shows a diagram `o connections. The present device comprises a box-like f the electrical holder 10 having a front wall 11 hingedat l its lower edge,as indicated at 11. This front wall is fitted with a glass panel 12 carried in a rectangular frame 13. There is a leaf spring 14 at the top and a similar sprin 75 15, at the bottom of the frame 13,- whic springs press upon the edges of the lass Ato l. form a. cushion'support therefor, an in addition control the locking means hereinafter" to be described. g l The holder as shown has a depth ual to two tiers of cigarettes orl cigars, an these tiers are preferably kept 'separated by division plates 16. Near the bottom of the holder is a swinging ate 17 which permits the .s5-

articles to passi m the back tier vto the front, one at a time, when the front tier is X depleted. The bottom of the boxis open at its rear half and closed at its front half. Spaced above the openingin the. bottom are '90 projections 17 which support thev back tier of cigarettes. Slidably mounted in the botltom of the box is a rectangular frame 18 of a size to receive a sin le cigar or ci arette. This frame is open bot at its .top and ttom, and has flanges 19 at its ends, upon which spring leaves 20 arranged within the holder are adapted to seat and hold the frame 184 `compressed when the said frame is in re- -traced position. Projecting out through 100 Fi 6 shows a vertical longitudinal sec- 0.

the front wall of the holder. is a handle 21 I by means of which the dispensing element can be moved back and forth within the holder. The frame 18 has curved lips 22 on .the top of its rear wall, extending up be- I also provide the front wall of this frame with lugs 23 to assist in preventin the cigarettes or cigars inthe-front tier roml dropping down when the frame is extended.

When inits extended position, registering with the open portion ofthe holder, the dispensing element at its back Wall will make contact with a conductor bar 24, which bar is supported by a screw 25. secured to an apron 26 which extends downwardly from the holder. This bar 24 is electrically connected to a suitable resistance element 27 arranged on one end of the apron 26.: This apron is" preferably open at its front and bottom, and has secured to it a pair of curved arms 28 which serve as a cradle to support a cigar or cigarette in inclined position with one end abutting against the resistance element,l The angle at which these arms'support a cigarette or cigar is suilicie-ntly steep to insure that the cigarette will move by gravity into close enough contact with the light ing element to insure lighting. The inclined position of the cigarette also tends to create a natural-draft which makes it'possible to effeet a lighting thereof without applying suction to the opposite end of the cigarette. Arranged on the nzpron is a guide plate 26 to' prevent the cigarette from lodging on to of the element 2'?. An opening 26b is pre erably formed inl the apron, which inconjunction with the plate l.26Ll will'form a flue communicating with'v the lighted end of the clgarette.

The resistance element is connected to a suitable source of current, the circuit of which is closed by the pressure of the frame 18 against the bar 24. Preferably, I make use of a grounded circuit,`and I therefore -show a single wire 29, leading from abattery to the resistance element. The holder itself being grounded, the circuit will be closed when the element 18 comes in contact with the conductor bar 24E.' This bar 24 may also be extended above the dispensing frame 18, as indicated at 30, Land contact can then be made between the frame and extension y30 when the said frame 18 is retracted by ressing downwardly on the handle 2l, an

hind the top 4wall of the box.

lng of the springs 20. This permits the igniter to be used without the dispenser.

These devices, while intended for use in. many -difl'erentsituations, are/frequently applied to the dash of an automobile. For that purpose I show a clamping bracket 35, and I also preferably provide a clip spring 36 on the end of the wire or cable 29, 'to facilitate hooking it up with the ignition systemvof the engine. Thus, to apply the device to a motor vehicle all that is required is to 'bore a hole through the dash to permit the wire to pass therethrough, after whichit can readily Ibe connected yto one of the .ignition wires by means. of the clip' spring 36.

There. should preferably be the bottom of the container, tending to force the slidable element 18 forwardly, so that the y electrical contact will be broken the instant the hand is removed from the handle 21." However, as indicated in Fig. l0, I may provide a switch 38 in the'circuit, arranged to be closed by the employment r.of Ithe slidablc dispensing element 18, said switch' adapted to the frame upwardly against the pressurev aspiring '37. in l be opened by a thermostat when a pre-detei-- mined temperature is rea'clied. ,This would obviate'the necessity' of the operators holding `the slidable dispensingelement in rearward position during the time the cigarette Iis being lighted. l

0n 4the returnstioke of the slidable dispensing element, if the front tier of the container still contains cigarettes, the swinging gate 17. will not] open, and hence the` cigarettes in the rear'tier will be undisturbed` However,fifthis front tier or compartment be empty, then the curved lips 22 will engage between the bottom cigarette in the rear tier, and pull it forwardly beneath the swinging gate to the front tier, where it will drop into the frame 18, ready'to be' dispensed on the next movement.

The locking mechanism is simple, and consists of means for-locking' the hinged frontv 'j wall and also for ,locking the dispensing ele ment-against operation. The top spring lcarries a lip 31 which extends upwardly bet It 1s retracted by inserting a rod or pin such as is indicated4 jat 32, through an opening 33 in the edge of the `frame 13, wherebyto depress the spring.

Asimilar locking means isfprovided for the 'dispensing element. The lower spring l5 carries a 4lip '34 which is adapted to extend, down through an opening or slot 35 vin the handle 21 of the frame 18. However, this lip f is normally raised by keeping the spring 15 depressed, which is done by inserting a rod or pin 3 2 through an opening in the edge of the. frame 13. 'Thijscan be the same rod asis used for the top lock, and it will normally remain in place below, being withdrawn and carried. away by the owner when it/ is desi-red to lock the dispensing element.

IVarious ychanges in the construction and arrangement of the several parts may be ein#4 ploye without departing from' the spiritof my invention as disclosed in the appended claims. Having thus described my invention, what I claim'and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A cigarette dispensing and lighting device comprisinga container to hold a supply of'cigarettes,'an ignition element, means toI simultaneously drop "a cigarette from said container and energize said ignition element,

- and means to catch said cigarette and guide the end thereof to rest by its own weight against said ignition element.

2. A cigarette dispensing and lighting de-v vice comprising a-container, an ignition element, means to' simultaneously drop a cigarette from said container .and energize said ignition element, and inclined means to catch said cigarette and guide the en d thereof to rest by' its own weight against said ignition element. e

3. In a device for dispensing and lighting' cigarettes or the like, means to hold a-s'upply of cigarettes, means to deliver the lcigarettes one at a time therefrom, an igniting element,

and means to receive and support the 'cigaf"' lrette in vertically linclined position with lower end contacting withthe igniting 'ele-' ment.

` 4. Ina cigarette dispensing and lighting device, a container for a supply of cigarettes,. dispensing means slidably mounted at 'the z bottom \of said container'to drop cigarettes `one lat a time, from said container, sprintfactuated means -to lock said 4dispensing means andra rod removably inserted beneath said spring-actuated means for maintaining the dispensing means in inoperativeposition.

5. In a cigarette dispensing and lightingl device, a container for a supplyo-f cigarettes,

vdispensing means slidably mounted at the bottom ofsaidgcontainer to drop cigarettes, one at a time from said container, an igniting element, -meansfto support each cigarettein inclined position' with one end thereof against said igniting element, means operated by said v dispensing means toactuate said igniting ele-v ment. i v J..

6. .In a' cigarette dispensing and lighting device, acontainer for a supply of cigarettes,v

an igniting element, means 'to .simultaneously dropxa cigarette from -said container and to operate said ignlting element, means tosupport said cigarette-` with the end thereofagainst said igniting element, and a. flue disposed abovesaid igniting element.

' 7. In an apparatus for lighting cigarettes or the like, anigniting element, lmeans to energize Saidelement, means to support a cigarette or the like 'with one'end thereof` resting by gravity against said igniting ele- 'ther/een.'

ment, and meanstocreateanatural around said end 'of t-lievcig'arettel- 8. In a cigarette dispensing and. device, a container for a supplyA of cigarettes,

a time from said-container, an-igniting element, means operated' by said dispensing means to energize said igniting element, and

a plurality of fhooks,"inclined from and' in' line with said ignitionelemenhto receive aM cigarette ydroppedxfrom said container'and guide .the end thereof against said igniting element. 1.'.

' 9. A cigarette dispensingl and lighting machine comprising a container'to hold a supply?,4

of ei-garettes an ignition element, mea-ns to simultaneously drop a. cigarette from said container and excite said ignition element, and means to catch said cigarette 'and guide the end thereof to rest by its own weightf against said ignition'element.

1.0., A cigarette-dispensing' an nit'ion element, means to catch said cigarette and guide the"endthereof'to rest by its own Weight ,against said ignition element, and means to create a arett'e.- Y y 11. v,In a cigarette dispensing and lighting machine, v a container-for a,v supply of cigl arettes, a dispeiisingslide lmounted at the bottom thereof and hal-ving" an opening large.` enoughjto accommodate ,a cigarette, extend ing therethrough, means to close the bottom and open the top of the dispensing slide when the slide is in its .normal outward position' and to open the bottom and c loseY thev topwhen the slide -is in its 'inward cigarette dedraft'at' the end of said cig# l l us lighting d llig-hti'ngdevice comprising a container, an ignition element', means to simultancpiislyI 'drop a cig. arette from vsaid container 'and excite said ig-,l

fao

livering position, an ignition element,"and

means to' allow the cigarette 4to drop an` angular position, resting by itsown .weight cigarettes one at a time therefrom, an igniting element, mea-neto position the-cigarettes with one end Contactin g with the igniting element, and 'means tol cause a natural ldraft around the igniting element to light the cigarette.

"13. In a cigarette dispensing and lighting machine, a container. foi a'',supp1y of eigarettes dispensing means sl'idably mounted,

bottom `ofi'said container to drop eigarettes, one at a time, from said containen.

'at the an ignition element, means tocatch each ci arette'and guideone end'thereof against said ignitionelement Where it rests b its own Weight, -means operated by said vispensing means t'o actuate said ignition'element, andl means to createa natural draft through'said ignition element and across the end of a cig-' arette placed tlierea'gain'st. s i

jl 2. In a machine for'dispensing and light- .ing cigarettes or lthe like, means to hold va supply of cigarettes means to deliver the ably attached to said ue adjacent the end 14. In` a cigarette dispensing and lighting' machine, a container fora supply of cigarettes, an ignition element, means to simultaneously drop a cigarette from said container and to operate said ignition element,

means to catch said'cigarette as it drops and guide the end thereof against said ignition element, anda. flue having a large opening at the bottom and a smaller opening at the top disposed above said ignition element to provide a natural current of air across said ignition element and up said fiue when said ignition element-is heated.

15. In a cigarette dispensing and lighting machine, a container for a supply of eigarettes, dispensing means slidably mounted at the bottom of said container to drop one cigarette at a time from said container, means to receive a cigarette as itis dropped from said container, a iue open at the top and bottom attached to the container and below y one side thereof, an ignition element releasof a cigarette in said receiving means, and means operated by said dispensing means to heat said ignition means and thereby produce a natura-l draft across said ignition element and up said flue. i

16. In -an apparatus for lighting cigarettes or the like, a cigarette dispensing means, an igniting element, means to energize said element, means to support a. cigarette or the like with one end thereof resting by' gravity against said ignitin'g element, and means to create a natural draft around said end of the ci garette.'

17. In a'cigarette dispensing and lighting "machine, a container for a supply of eigarettes, a dispensing means to drop one eigarette ata time from said container, an ignition element, means operated by said dispensing means to excite -said ignition element, and a. plurality of hooks, inclined from and in line .with said ignition element to receive a cigarette dropped from said container and guide the end t ereof against said ignition element.

v FRANCIS C. COPELAND, 

